Non-Registered Critics: Michael Sheehan
THE $5 SHAKESPEARE COMPANY
Author Leavitt's unfettered love of theatre shines as each of the company members bring their hopes and dreams to light in well crafted exposition.
...With moments of true pathos, this one is mostly for fun and succeeds.
Will the company survive departures and success? This is a late report, but heading to NoHo for this show is a must for lovers of the local scene. Don't miss it.
Canceled - Measure for Measure
I so want to report with joy the work that Antaeus does. Sadly, ten minutes into the show I had the feeling that the best was probably not to come. Duty bound, I made an effort to follow the wonky plot and character challenges.
ALL PERFORMANCES CANCELED BY CTG - THE BOOK OF MORMON
Research reveals that every superlative in the English language has been written to describe this show. It's also Profane. Uncouth. Perverse and Perverted. Every bad word you were instructed never to utter? All get uttered! Wonderfully staged and surprisingly not the total put down of the LDS church that one might expect, all of the honors that this show has collected from Broadway to Timbuktu.. around the world (did it play in Uganda?) are well deserved. It's Fan effing tastic!
Human Interest Story
Human Interest Story is a must see World Premiere. Hopefully, as with Sachs's earlier efforts, his message flies beyond its comfortable nest on Fountain.
Suspended - Rorschach Fest
Applause to Martha Demson and The Open Fist for this ongoing exploration of the type of theatre that informs and inspires us to look beyond an evening's 'entertainment' to the art and craft of experience that calls for discussion and an exchange of ideas.
Do NOT miss this show! Brilliant text and brilliant performances!
This Side Of Crazy
UNTIL THE FLOOD
In fairness, it's important to note that the actor's words do, indeed, tell her stories, but the virtual dearth of movement made it difficult to stay politely awake. Theatre requires action and interaction:
"The Unseen Hand" and "Killer's Head"
Director Darrell Larson's personal friendship with Shepard and his own avid devotion to 'relevant' theatre informs these two short pieces in a more intimate way than other directors might present them. Shepard's words and the unusual circumstances in both pieces speak to "modern" audiences of the sixties as well as to audiences here in the 21st Century.
Nowhere On The Border
Is this a 'good' play? Are the actors 'good'? Did director, Stuart J. Zully, do a good job? Certainly, the herculean effort that The Road Theatre puts into each of their productions I've seen in the past is undeniably 'good' when it comes to sincerity. This play is timely and very important as we observe blatant prejudice and the exploitation of human beings by other human beings in our real world of today.
Disposable Necessities
Thought provoking and well done for what it is, it's up to the audience to decide if a trip to LFI might be an answer. Whom would you be next?
Sugar Plum Fairy
Directed by Bart DeLorenzo with super scenic design by Keith Mitchell and great costumes by Angela Calen, this is an opportunity, thanks to the wit (and wisdom?) of Sandra Tsing Loh, to launch the Season with Joy.
Unraveled
Director Steve Jarrard shows great empathy for Blackmer's story. It's evident that the level of experience of each of the cast members varies considerably.
Bad Habits
Every character has a personal story to tell and the result is a charming couple of hours with a Christmas surprise. Of course, heading out to the Santa Monica Airport is worth the journey that will send an audience into the night with a smile and a huge laugh as it all resolves, including the curtain call.
Buried Child
Reading the text and comparing it to the production at A Noise Within is enlightening and helpful. In all, the powerhouse performance of Strang's Halie and Dukakis's subtle approach to Dewis, bring their characters fully to life.
Waiting for Waiting for Godot
This tight full length one act will charm fans of Samuel Beckett with familiar references and might introduce Godot to folks who may not have heard the good news.
WFWFGodot is a must see.
Orwell's 1984
Dedicated actors, the influence of style that smarts of Grotowski and Chaikin, quantum leap from Steven Kent and The Company Theatre allow deep character and text exploration at once bringing a chilling reality to life: allowing technique to shine without shame.
This is not a fun show. The world around us today is literally on fire; questionable leadership in the USA finds us on a slippery slope, possibly circling the drain as a nation, though we are not completely the nation of Oceana ... yet.. The reminder that corrupt forces are not the stuff of fiction is what Robbins and The Actors' Gang bring to life and for those who care to see raw theatre done with perfection, supporting this prescient work should be a high priority.
Between Riverside and Crazy
Director Guillermo Cienfuegos, seems to have set fire to his cast as the old addage "Bigger, Faster, Louder, Funnier (or more Dramatic)" calls the tune for the show.
Sit-com dialogue interspersed with shouting matches involving almost every member of the cast tries our patience.
The Abuelas
Adam R. Macias's perfect projections enhance and strong performances by the cast, reveal a story that sends Gabriela's life in an unexpected direction. It mostly plays well. DeSanto's bombastic volume and over the top performance seems either totally out of place or the rest of the cast was reluctant to broadcast what seems to show in the script as more subtle exposition is on director Andi Chapman... Recommended.
Neil Simon's Musical Fools
This review, in the spirit of Neil Simon, means to say that the laughs are cheap and well worth the time investment. The huge cast and wonderful orchestra make the evening memorable though long...
Applause for all of the Fools on the stage and those of us cavorting in the audience.